HPE Custom Image for VMware ESXi 6.0 U2 ( ProLiant DL380 Gen9 ) how to install patches

[ArKaDioS]

Hello

I am new to VMWARE and struggling with several problems , please help :

1. After installing HPE Custom Image for VMware ESXi 6.0 U2 (server ProLiant DL380 Gen9 ) how to install patches for this image ?

[Techie01]

Using update manager, the patches get downloaded automatically and you can patch the host

Using command line ( using esxcli software ....) you can download the patches and update the host

Below is the text from vmware KB's

Patch Download and Installation

The typical way to apply patches to ESXi hosts is through the VMware Update Manager. For details, see the Installing and Administering VMware vSphere Update Manager.

ESXi hosts can be updated by manually downloading the patch ZIP file from the VMware download page and installing the VIB by using the esxcli software vib command. Additionally, the system can be updated using the image profile and the esxcli software profile command. For details, see the vSphere Command-Line Interface Concepts and Examples and the vSphere Upgrade Guide.

[hussainbte]

if you don't have update manager(it comes as a solution with vCenter-- no further license required) .

check the below linked KB for esxcli commands.

“esxcli software vib” commands to patch an ESXi 5.x/6.x host (2008939) | VMware KB

[ArKaDioS]

Thank you for the quick reply.

Unfortunately, I use the vCenter Server Appliance 6.0 Update 2 , in which there is no pdate Manager .

After the last update ESXi600-201608001 , drivers have been removed from the raid controller HP.

As the topic I use ISO HPE Custom Image for VMware ESXi 6.0 U2.

Maybe not at all patch ESXI ?

Is it better to use a vCenter for Windows ?

Regards,

Arek

[Luciano-Patrão]

Hi,

VMware update manager needs to be a Windows VM.

If you have vCenter Appliance, then you need to create a Windows VM and then install VMware update manager that will connect to your vCenter Appliance.

[wila]

Hi,

You can still manually patch using esxcli.

Note that there is a big difference between using install and update options.

With install you replace the whole vSphere image and with update you just update the components that need updating.

Use the steps from here:

https://esxi-patches.v-front.de/ESXi-6.0.0.html#2016-08-05

Click the top link and it gives you the correct steps.

or if you insist on doing this via an offline bundle then use the steps in this KB: http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2008939

That knowledge base also tells you the differences - in details - between all of the different options to patch.

I'd say that it is required reading when patching without update manager.

--

Wil

[ArKaDioS]

Thank you very much for your reply .

That is how I want to manually update and have a Version :

2016.03.02

Build number: 3617585

Build type : release

Branch : vsphere60u2

I have step -by-step update

Imageprofile ESXi-6.0.0-20160504001-standard (Build 3825889) includes the following updated VIBs:

Imageprofile ESXi-6.0.0-20160801001s-standard (Build 4179598) includes the following updated VIBs:

Imageprofile ESXi-6.0.0-20160804001-standard (Build 4192238) includes the following updated VIBs:

or at the end I should still update your drivers ?

depot=http://vibsdepot.hpe.com/hpq/latest/index.xml --force

esxcli software vib update --depot=http://vibsdepot.hpe.com/hpq/latest/index-drv.xml --force

Regards,

Arek

[unsichtbare]

You can install Update Manager, and I think you made the right choice to use the VCSA!

I wrote up a procedure specifically for HP Servers:

Patch your ESXi Hosts from the command line easily and quickly - JohnBorhek.com

[ArKaDioS]

Thank you for your answer

One more question , how do I know which patch / update I have updated and which are not ?
My current version is 6.0.0 (Build 3620759 )

Regards

Arek

[Luciano-Patrão]

Hi,

Here you have build numbers:

ESXi: https://kb.vmware.com/kb/2143832

vCenter: https://kb.vmware.com/kb/2143838

[evpretorious]

I'm relatively new to ESXi so I'm confused about patches, updates, depots, bundles, and builds. (What are they? How are they alike? How are they different? How are they used? How are they managed?)

Can someone recommend a good reference for learning about all of those - and maybe learning about Life With the HPE Customized Image too?  :smileyconfused:

TIA,

Eric Pretorious

Portland, Oregon

[evpretorious]

I'm relatively new to ESXi so I'm confused about patches, updates, depots, bundles, and builds. (What are they? How are they alike? How are they different? How are they used? How are they managed?)

William Lam's blog entry "Understanding ESXi Patches – Size & Patch Bundles" doesn't answer all of my questions, but it certainly provides so very good foundational information!  :smileyhappy:

For example: William writes...

Patch management for ESXi is very different compared to traditional operating system patches, where incremental updates are made to the base operating system and thus increasing the disk footprint for each patch update. For the ESXi hypervisor, when a patch is applied, the entire ESXi image also known as an Image Profile is replaced.

I've been reading quite a bit about patching/updating ESXi but haven't found that nugget of information anywhere yet!

[Luciano-Patrão]

Hi,

I think the answer to your questions is the same for any system that needs to be updated. This are fix or security updates, or even drivers updates from the devices in your ESXi hosts.

What are they?  The answer is above
How are they alike? They can be a file(vib or even a zip) or just updates download from internet(manually or by the VUM(VMware update manager).
How are they different? The answer is above.
How are they used? Answered in the other questions.
How are they managed? Again, they can be applied manually ( https://kb.vmware.com/kb/2008939 ) or with VUM ( https://kb.vmware.com/kb/1019545 )

Hope this can help.